Welcome!
My name is Shemeca
Woods. I am a MAT-M participant and I am very excited about this program.
I am a SpEd A.T. at
a middle school and I thoroughly enjoy working with my students. I tutor
6-8 grade students in remedial mathematics and language arts. Last year I
decided it was time to get serious about my future. A few of my students mentioned
that their mathematics teacher was retiring and that they wanted me to become
their new mathematics teacher. (If it was only that simple!) They really tried
to sell me on how great a math teacher I was and how this was the perfect time
for me to get my own class--one that I didn't share with another teacher. This
was a real eye-opener for me. Even my students recognized that I was not living
to my maximum potential. I was always encouraging them and showing them that I
believe in them, and now they were returning the favor. I know that I work just
as hard as the certified teachers, yet my pay is 1/3 of theirs.
I signed up to take
the PRAXIS I last spring, the PRAXIS II this year, and the GRE last
month. My next plan was to contemplate which alternate route to teaching I
should pursue. I graduated from Mississippi University for Women in 2008 with a
B.S. in Legal Studies. A couple of years prior to graduating, I realized that I
loved being in the classroom. I had come so close to completing the Legal
Studies program that I had to finish. I was a really good Legal Studies
student, but I didn't feel that same sense of satisfaction working in a law
office as I did teaching in the classroom.
After checking out
several schools and
their alternate route to teaching programs, my school of choice was and is
Mississippi State University. I was officially admitted into the MAT-M program,
after being a thorn in the side of many, on last Friday. I was very
surprised and thrilled! (Thanks for being so understanding, and patient
with me and my persistence, Mr. Alred.)
I am a single
mother of two beautiful girls who are watching me constantly! I am a good
mother and I plan to prove to them that hard work really pays off---not just
say it. Earning my teacher certification and
master degree are just the foundation upon which I plan to build my legacy to
my children.
I expect to learn a great deal of useful information
on understanding and better relating to my students. I think that being able to
understand your students and recognize their strengths as well as weaknesses,
all while motivating them to exceed even their own expectations are characteristics
of an exceptional teacher. I hope that this class helps me to become closer to
that type of teacher.
3 Things Middle School teachers do that I think are
beneficial to the overall learning experiences of middle school students:
1) Middle school teachers
help to establish a student’s self-worth through encouragement and guidance.
2) Middle school teachers
strive to teach not only the core requirements but life skills as well.
3) Middle school teachers lay
the foundation for a successful high school career.
3 Things Middle School teachers do that I think are detrimental
to the overall learning experiences of middle school students:
1) Middle school teachers
help students transition from elementary school to high school.
2) Middle school teachers
help you to find your talents.
3) Middle school teachers
help you to become more independent and self-assured.
All that I have to offer
the class community is my prior experience and my personal opinion. I hope that by sharing each other’s
experiences, concerns, and fears, we will grow as a class.
~Shemeca~
It sounds to me like you are going to make a great teacher and we have something in common... we are both W graduates.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the program Shemeca. Your experience in the middle school as a teaching assistant will be invaluable to you. I know you will be able to provide others with great insight into working with middle school students.
ReplyDeleteI actually worked at a law firm (legal services marketing) before I decided to return to school to earn my teaching license. It was not satisfying for me either. I never regretted my decision to go into teaching.
I really enjoyed the bit about your students telling you to try for more. That is a very neat story.
ReplyDelete